FSGA hosts SBC panel, states fantasy sports have ‘come out of the shadows’

RubinBrown Partner Brandon Loeschner and Bettor Sports Network Founder Matt Deutsch spoke on where fantasy stands within the US and attempted to establish shared understanding.

The Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association (FSGA) hosted a “State of Fantasy Sports” panel during the SBC Summit event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, covering topics such as regulatory challenges, the history of fantasy sports and the Association’s overarching mission. 

RubinBrown LLP and FSGA Founding Member Brandon Loeschner described how fantasy sports generated over $10bn throughout 2024, with an estimation of $22bn projected for 2032. Outside of the US, fantasy sports grew to produce more than $28.95bn in the past year and could grow to over $90bn within the next decade. 

“This speaks to a unique, highly engaged audience that can be tapped into for operators looking to break into the industry, not including partnerships that are formed with sports leagues and franchises to expand their reach even further,” Loeschner said. 

“The fantasy sports you see today have been grown by technology. Technology changes everything about the way you think about fantasy sports, and the way companies go about establishing its product in different markets.”

Loeschner also spoke on how fantasy sports such as football, baseball and basketball have grown to work “in unison” with daily fantasy sports (DFS), which is currently prohibited in just five states across the US. While the repeal of PASPA in 2018 brought about confusion regarding the difference between fantasy sports and DFS, Loeschner believes the two have now been accepted across the country by various state regulators. 

The FSGA repored 42% of bettors wager on DFS because it is a “fun hobby,” while over 20% believe betting on sports adds to the thrill of viewing games in real time. Approximately 69% of fantasy sports users are currently using AI tools to make decisions, with differing revenue streams becoming available for operators in recent years. 

Good to know: After remaining as one of only two states across the US to prohibit gambling of any type, the Hawaii Senate officially passed legislation that would legalize online sports betting and DFS on April 9

Bettor Sports Network Founder Matt Deutsch also took part in the fantasy sports panels, highlighting how operators such as ESPN, CBS and even the NFL itself have adapted to offer fantasy sports in recent years, including the addition of odds and fantasy stats on live television. 

“People like to show off their trophies, win prizes and, most importantly, win money,” Deutsch said. 

“You can’t go on social media without seeing fantasy sports streams, statistics, the offering has come out of the shadows in recent years to become popular not just with your typical consumer, but socially with athletes and celebrities as well.”

The FSGA pointed out how revenue streams such as broadcast and media support, subscriptions and partnerships with operators have all grown to become necessities for fantasy sports websites and applications. 

Throughout the remainder of 2025, the Association believes fantasy sports will continue to expand as DFS becomes more widely accepted not just in the US, but also in international markets.

Kirk Geller

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